“We have some elements of 4-3 and 3-4,” Rossi, wearing a black short-sleeved windbreaker, told BTN. “We like to zone blitz. We like to move. We like to use games up front.”

It’s no secret that Rutgers has used three-man fronts before. Dave Cohen, whom Rossi succeeded at defensive coordinator, often used three down linemen on passing downs a year ago — mostly unsuccessfully.

Multiple defenses — those that run both 4-3 and 3-4 hybrid fronts — are becoming more of the norm, as the NFL game also reflects.

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“There are some in the league that have started using the three-man front a little bit,” said BTN’s Dave Revsine, who spoke with Rossi on the network’s training camp visit. “We’ve seen Wisconsin do it in the last year. Dave Aranda, their defensive coordinator, is an odd-man front guy. It looks like Indiana’s going to do it, as well (with) Brian Knorr, their defensive coordinator.”

Adopted by former head coach Greg Schiano, the rush end has both run fit and pass responsbilities. Former linebackers moved down a level of defense have manned it.

David Milewski, now a starter, played in a two-point stance during the early portion of his career. Backup Quanzell Lambert converted to the rush spot after committing as a linebacker.

Their versatility at the line of scrimmage will affect how often Rossi changes looks.

“It looked to me that Rutgers was mostly in four-man fronts, but I can’t say for sure,” Revsine said. “I wasn’t keeping track. Any time you can throw people a different look that’s probably a good thing.”

“Obviously everybody has different packages. I actually don’t know exactly what he’s talking about, to be God honest with you,” linebacker Kevin Snyder said of Rossi’s hybrid comments. “I’ll leave it up to him. As of right now we haven’t had much change compared to a couple years back.”

Rossi has publicly stood firm to Rutgers’ defensive blueprint. Schiano was its architect, molding his defense around smaller, quicker players in the front seven. Stunts and blitzes became the norm.

But Rossi, a college defensive lineman in Division III, will likely bring his own perspective. Milewski said he has worked in tandem with defensive line coach Jim Panagos.

“I think all that does is make me have a little bit better idea up front,” Rossi said of his college experience. “I started off coaching on the defensive line, I played the defensive line so I really like and enjoy working with defensive linemen. Coach Panagos does an outstanding job with those guys. Whenever you can put yourself in a player’s mind and you’ve been there and you played, you have a better idea of what they’re seeing and what they’re expecting.”

Rossi’s first test won’t be easy. Washington State’s Connor Halliday ranked third nationally last year in passing yards and seventh overall in total offense. But his pass efficiency rating — combining traditional pass metrics — finished at No. 75.

“The blueprint is there, so we follow the blueprint,” Rossi said. “Now, there are some things that we need to change and alter, but I think you always have to look at what your players do well and try to play to those strengths.”